Push Button Patents (Class 200/341)
  • Patent number: 11203887
    Abstract: A switch actuating device (1) for a vehicle door includes an actuating element (10) with an actuating surface (11), a mechanical switch (20) and a mechanism (30). The switch is secured on a first component/component group (31). A lever (32) is mounted for pivot in relation to the first component/component group (31). A first region (32.2) of the lever is connected to a first part of the actuating element (10) via a first articulation (10.1). A second part of the actuating element (10) is mounted on the first component/component group (31) via a second articulation (10.2). The actuating element (10) bends when the actuating surface (11) is subjected to manual pressure causing the distance between the first articulation (10.1) and the second articulation (10.2) to shorten, which causes the lever (32) to pivot toward the switch such that the switch is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Joachim Oberst, Andreas Rudolf, Matthias Seubert
  • Patent number: 11189440
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device, including a housing, a button, and a switch. An opening is formed through a wall surface of the housing. The housing has a stopping portion integrally disposed on the wall surface and adjacent to the opening, a notch being defined between a part of the stopping portion and the wall surface, the notch having a notch height. The button is configured to be mounted at the opening and includes a pressing portion and an extending portion. The pressing portion is movably accommodated in the opening. An end of the extending portion is connected to the pressing portion, and the other end is fixed to the wall surface. The extending portion movably passes through the notch. A thickness of the extending portion passing through the notch is smaller than the notch height. A switch is disposed at a position corresponding to the pressing portion in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Hsu, Pen-Uei Lu, Mao-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 11081298
    Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a guiding structure, a connection member and a base plate. The guiding structure is located below the keycap and includes at least one pivot shaft. The connection member includes a connection groove, and the at least one pivot shaft is connected to the connection groove. The base plate includes at least one fixing member. The connection member envelops the at least one fixing member such that the connection member is fixed to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Hung Cheng, Chia-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 11065534
    Abstract: A thumbstick user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having an upper end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by the user's thumb and a lower end within the housing. Sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried at a bottom of the housing and may have a rotatable output extending upwardly therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable upward or downward based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated by the user's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb J. Flori, Colin J. Abraham, Min C. Kim, Xuan Liu, Joshua J. Pong
  • Patent number: 11024475
    Abstract: A sealed switch having a switch body with first and second switch body sections, a switch contact configured to be disposed in a slot in the first switch body section, a switch contact cover configured to cover the slot, and a seal configured to cover the circumference of the second switch body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Juuso Heiskanen, Jari Lamminparras
  • Patent number: 10915135
    Abstract: A button assembly is disposed in a rocker. The button assembly including a base, a pressure sensor and a keycap. The base has two lower positioning portions with each of the two lower positioning portions protruding outwardly from respective sides of the base. The pressure sensor is mounted on the base. The keycap overlies the pressure sensor. The keycap has two upper positioning portions with each of the two upper positioning portions protruding outwardly from respective sides of the keycap. The two upper positioning portions are individually fixed on each of the two lower positioning portions. As described above, a push-button structure is thus formed by the two lower positioning portions and the two upper positioning portions configured among the base, the pressure sensor and the keycap to achieve the modularization of the button assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Tseng, Tsung-Shih Lee
  • Patent number: 10908001
    Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly includes a wall plate that is configured to be secured to a wall of a building using either a threaded fastener or a releasable adhesive strip, the wall plate including an aperture therethrough for accommodating the threaded fastener and a recess on a back surface of the wall plate to accommodate at least part of the releasable adhesive strip. The wireless sensor assembly includes a sensor housing including a front housing region and a back housing region, the back housing region configured to be releasably secured to the wall plate, the back housing region including a recess that is configured to receive at least part of the wall plate when the back housing region is releasably secured to the wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Read, Nathan Carlson, Christopher Heintzelman, Karla Morales
  • Patent number: 10910175
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a key structure, including a carrier, a buffer layer, a circuit film, a balance rod and a key cap. The carrier includes a body and a positioning element protruding from the body. The positioning element has a positioning hole. The buffer layer is disposed around the positioning hole. The circuit film and the balance rod are disposed on the body. The balance rod has an opposite first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion passes through the positioning hole and presses against the buffer layer. The key cap is connected with the second end portion, and the circuit film and the balance rod are positioned between the key cap and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuan-Ming Huang, Jen-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 10892115
    Abstract: A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Rich Destremps, George M. Drizos, Scott A. Kleppinger, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Shawn A. Strange
  • Patent number: 10892119
    Abstract: A push switch includes: a first fixture contact; a second fixture contact; a member that holds the first and second fixture contacts; a movable member positioned opposite a surface of the member in an operation direction; and a contact member. The contact member includes: a first support and a second support that are supported by the member; and a joint that joins the first support to the second support. The movable joint is disposed between the joint of the movable member and the member, with neither the first support nor the second support overlapping the movable member in a planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio Doro
  • Patent number: 10866619
    Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 10867761
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a scissor mechanism and a keyswitch. The scissor mechanism comprises an inner arm and an outer arm. Two opposite first side surfaces of the inner arm respectively comprise a first connecting part. Two opposite second side surfaces of the outer arm respectively comprise a second connecting part. The inner arm is disposed within the outer arm. The first connecting parts are pivotally connected to the corresponding second connecting parts. An anti-frictional configuration is disposed between each first side surface of the inner arm and the corresponding each second side surface of the outer arm. The anti-frictional configurations are provided with smooth contact surfaces without any burrs or parting lines by angle lifting demolding techniques. The present disclosure also discloses a keyswitch. When pressing and releasing the keyswitch, the noise can be reduced by the anti-frictional configurations when the inner arm and the outer arm pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY (CHANG ZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XiaoQiang Liang, Lei Shi, XueLei Liu
  • Patent number: 10847130
    Abstract: A keyboard device having keys enabling sufficient weight of touch to be obtained in spite of being configured to be shorter in length than those of the grand piano and. Link mechanisms are each provided on a base for supporting an associated one of the keys from below and configured to cause the associated key to operate such that when a front end of the key is depressed, an amount of downward movement of a rear end of the key becomes approximately half of an amount of downward movement of the front end of the key. Each link mechanism includes front-side and rear-side key link bars and front-side and rear-side connecting link bars. The front-side and rear-side connecting link bars are pivotally supported, respectively, and are pivotally and slidably connected to each other via respective rear and front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KAWAI GAKKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasushi Terai, Mikhail Vasilievich Pletnev, Anton Anatolievich Nikitin, Hideyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 10840037
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a substrate, a limit connecting member, a keycap, and a liftable connecting member. The assembly area of the substrate includes a long fixation hole having two short sides, a first long side, and a second long side. A portion of the bottom surface of the substrate is further recessed to form a long bottom groove, and two ends of the long bottom groove are near to the two short sides. The limit connecting member is disposed on the assembly area and includes a fixed seat in the long fixation hole and a standing portion extending from the fixed seat. The fixed seat includes a lower wing plate correspondingly fixed in the long bottom groove. The keycap is disposed on the assembly area. The liftable connecting member is connected between the keycap and the assembly area and includes a shaft disposed on the limit connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Po-Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 10815350
    Abstract: A keycap structure includes a keycap body and a single coating layer. The keycap body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The single coating layer is formed on the top surface. The single coating layer is formed by coating a paint. The paint is a UV paint or a PU paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Han-Pin Kao
  • Patent number: 10820392
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 10734174
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a keyboard and, more particularly, to a silent keyboard. A first pressing portion is formed of two strengthening strip elements intersected with each other, and utilized to enhance the rigidity and stability of four guiding pillars. Two grooves are formed on the inner walls of a first frame. Two hooks positioned in opposing sides and two silencing strip elements positioned in opposing sides are formed on the underside of a first key cap and extend outward from the first key cap. The two hooks respectively engage with the two grooves, while each hook is arranged to operably slide along a corresponding groove. The two silencing strip elements engage with the inner walls of the first frame, so that a first key structure can slide steadily within the first frame and does not tilt while sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DONGGUAN WEIJI ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 10706695
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to merchandise security systems and methods for displaying and protecting an article of merchandise from theft. In one example, the system includes a sensor configured to be secured to the article of merchandise, wherein the sensor includes alarming circuitry. The system also includes a tether comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected to the alarming circuitry, wherein the pair of conductors is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or to the article of merchandise. In response to power ceasing to be transferred, the alarming circuitry is configured to monitor an electrical signal transmitted through the pair of conductors in order to determine whether the tether has been cut or removed from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, Jonathon D. Phillips, Gary A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10685796
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for a user input device, such as a game controller. The user input device includes a finger depressible trigger button, a trigger travel path adjustment assembly that resides in an internal cavity of a housing of the user input device, and a finger switch configured to be switched between a plurality of selectable positions in real-time (e.g., during game play). A first selectable position of the finger switch enables the trigger button to be depressed a first distance. A second selectable position of the finger switch enables the trigger button to be depressed a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Victor Tsai, Kenneth Dennis Jasinski, Jonathan Shea Robinson, Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway
  • Patent number: 10658136
    Abstract: A button structure includes a button and a fixing portion; wherein the fixing portion is configured for fixing the button, the fixing portion includes a first latching portion and a second latching portion, and the first latching portion includes a first latching opening, and the second latching portion includes a second latching opening, and the first latching opening has an opening direction substantially perpendicular to an opening direction of the second latching opening, and the first latching opening and the second latching opening are engaged with the button. An electronic device is also provided. The electronic device includes a housing and the button structure, the button structure is received in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng-Yu Chiu, Ching-Chu Huang
  • Patent number: 10656883
    Abstract: In a push button portion of a button member, a first supported portion is supported by a push-in portion of a push-in type switch. A second supported portion is supported in a second area by an electronic board. The second area is adjacent to one side of the electronic component. The push-in type switch is present in a first area which is adjacent to another side of the electronic component that is opposite to the one side. An elastic portion connects a portion including the second supported portion to a portion including the push button portion and the first supported portion. A plurality of guided portions are restricted by a plurality of guide projection portions projecting from an exterior member, from being displaced in a direction intersecting a depth direction. The plurality of guide projection portions are provided in the first area and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Tokoro, Yoshiaki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 10658133
    Abstract: A push-button with a receptacle and a cover plate, an actuating button actuatable in translation between two positions, a rest position and a pushed-in position, the cover plate being arranged at the periphery of the actuating button, a device for guiding the actuating button in translation between the two positions, and a return device for returning the actuating button from the pushed-in position toward the rest position. The guiding device include at least a pin including a bent rod shaped to have a first part pivotally mounted on a fastening unit of the actuating button and a second part pivotally mounted on a fastening unit of the cover plate, and the return device are designed to act on the pin by mechanical or magnetic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Bertrand Fruchard, Francis Chauvet
  • Patent number: 10637167
    Abstract: A switch mounting device comprises: a resin seat having an upper surface and a lower surface; a switch mounted on the upper surface of the seat; and terminal members fixed to the lower surface. The seat has claw parts on the lower surface thereof. The switch has a main body part, which is operated by pressing in the X direction, and connection terminals extending downward from this main body part. With connection terminals led out to the lower surface of the seat, the connection terminals are electrically connected to the terminal members. The terminal members are fixed to the seat by the claw parts by way of being slid along the lower surface of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Tokyo Parts Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahisa Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10629398
    Abstract: A switch device includes an actuation unit, a movable unit, a first base, and a second spring, which is a torsion coil spring that acts between the actuation unit and the movable unit. The movable unit is movable with respect to the base. The second spring applies a force to the actuation unit when the actuation unit is at a third position in a direction that is not parallel to a direction in which the torsion coil spring applies a force to the actuation unit when the actuation unit is at a fourth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyasaka, Kazuaki Morita
  • Patent number: 10609830
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interface module for a device unit, comprising a communication unit suitable for being communicatively connected to an electronics module of the device unit, the communication unit being suitable for enabling the input of information by a user and/or the output of information to a user; a holding element suitable for being fastened to the electronics module; and a connection connecting the communication unit and the holding element to one another, wherein the connection is a joint, and the communication unit is movable relative to the holding element between a first folding position and a second folding position by means of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Robl, Michael Dieterich
  • Patent number: 10597913
    Abstract: A control unit 20, including a circuit board and a switch unit, is arranged in a housing space in a door handle. The switch unit has a switch component, which is fastened to the circuit board, a hard switch case, which covers the switch component, a soft pushbutton, which operates the switch component, and a hard cover member, which is fastened to the switch case. The pushbutton has a pushing part in the shape of a cap, a flange, which extends from the bottom end of the pushing part, and an operation projection, which is inserted into an insertion opening in a roof. The switch case and the pushbutton are united by the cover member, and the flange is brought into close contact with the roof all the way therearound, by the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO PARTS INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahisa Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10535481
    Abstract: A magnetic keyboard has a plurality of magnetic keyswitches, and each magnetic keyswitch include a base, a keycap, a supporting device, a magnetic component and a metal thin sheet. The base has at least one engaging structure and a hole. The supporting device has a first support, an end of the first support is movably connected to the engaging structure, and the other end of the first support is movably connected to the keycap. The first support has a magnet portion. The magnetic component is disposed on the base and functioned with the magnet portion to provide a recovering force to the keycap. The metal thin sheet is disposed under the base and has a bendable cantilever portion covering the hole. While the cantilever portion is bent by an external force, the magnetic component can be removed through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Sung-Fu Yang, Po-Chun Hou
  • Patent number: 10492273
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 10490055
    Abstract: A supervision and control system for preventing poor air quality and fire, includes an indicator unit configured to be mounted to the ceiling or wall and includes an air quality sensor configured to measure air quality information; one or more integrated steerable infrared remote thermometers, steerable to home appliances or electrical devices; and one or more control and supervision units implemented as an additional device or as an integrated programmatic characteristic. The indicator unit is also configured to be connected to the home appliances or the electrical devices for analyzing and detecting deteriorating air quality or danger. The indicator unit is configured to send air quality information and temperature information to at least one of the control and supervision units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: INNOHOME OY
    Inventor: Matti Myllymäki
  • Patent number: 10481693
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a manually operable tactile input/output device for a data processing system, in particular a tactile computer mouse, which is configured with a housing and a plurality of actuators in operative connection with the housing and in which the actuators are arranged and jointly controlled in the housing to cause at least temporarily a tactile perception by a user in manual contact with the housing, by which simultaneously at least two and in particular all five tactile perception dimensions of microscopic roughness, macroscopic roughness, friction, hardness and heat are simulated. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an operating method for a manually operable tactile input/output device and a data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Matti Strese, Kevin Kuonath, Andreas Noll, Eckehard Steinbach, Martin Piccolrovazzi
  • Patent number: 10472224
    Abstract: A water dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a housing having a front fascia with an actuator receiving area. An actuator is received in the actuator receiving area and includes inner and outer surfaces. The actuator is operable between at-rest and pressed positions. A hinge pin includes upper and lower ends with a body portion disposed therebetween. The upper and lower ends are pivotally coupled to upper and lower portions of the actuator receiving area to rotate the body portion of the hinge pin between extended and retracted positions. The body portion is further coupled to the inner surface of the actuator for movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Narendra A. Kapure
  • Patent number: 10410805
    Abstract: The invention provides a key structure, which includes a carrying plate, a trigger member, a keycap, and a reciprocating member. The trigger member is disposed on the carrying plate, and includes a bearing portion, a pillar portion, a trigger portion and a connecting portion. The bearing portion and the trigger portion are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the pillar portion, and the pillar portion is perpendicular to the carrying plate. The trigger portion protrudes toward the carrying plate. The connecting portion is circularly disposed at one side of the pillar portion facing the carrying plate, extends from the pillar portion toward the carrying plate, and is obliquely connected to the carrying plate. The keycap is disposed on the bearing portion. The reciprocating member comprises two opposite ends respectively connected to the carrying plate and the keycap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Chen, Ching-Piao Kuan, Yi-Hsuan Yang, Chi-Hung Lai
  • Patent number: 10347112
    Abstract: A supervision and control method for preventing poor air quality and fire uses an indicator unit mounted to the ceiling or on a wall and provided with an air quality sensor, and one or more control and supervision units as additional devices or as integrated or programmatic characteristics connected to home appliances or electrical devices. The air quality information measured by the air quality sensor is sent from the indicator unit to the control and supervision unit, which monitors, ventilates, and controls the operation and/or energy supply of home appliances or electrical devices on the basis of air quality information. The effect of control on air quality is monitored by the air quality sensor and an alarm is issued and/or the supply of electricity to predetermined home appliances and/or electrical devices is cut off if, regardless of control, a preset alarm limit is exceeded, when the presence of a user is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INNOHOME OY
    Inventor: Matti Myllymäki
  • Patent number: 10300545
    Abstract: An assembly of mechanical components includes a solder joint between two metal components. A mounted component is retained on one side of a support structure by a solder joint on the other side of the support structure between a retainer and a connector that is fast with the mounted component and extends through the support structure. The retainer is of sheet metal construction, so that a height of the solder joint is no more than the thickness of the retainer, thus providing a low-profile joint. The assembly may be in the form of a movable push button for control of an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Teodor Dabov, John Bernard Ardisana, II, Ashutosh Y. Shukla
  • Patent number: 10296136
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Bokma, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Saket Vora
  • Patent number: 10283289
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base, a keycap, a first support, a second support, and a connection structure. The keycap moves up and down relative to the base through the first support and the second support. The connection structure is disposed on the base and includes a vertical-motion limiting part and a horizontal-motion limiting part. The first support includes a rod-shaped connection portion and is connected to the connection structure through the rod-shaped connection portion. The vertical-motion limiting part prevents the rod-shaped connection portion from vertically moving. The horizontal-motion limiting part limits the horizontal movement of the rod-shaped connection portion. The vertical-motion limiting part and the horizontal-motion limiting part are separated in the rotation axis of the rod-shaped connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Chen, Chih-Hung Chen, Chin-Hung Lin, Ling-Hsi Chao, Chih-Chung Yen
  • Patent number: 10285285
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an outer housing including a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface, a printed circuit board seated in the outer housing, and at least one side key coupled to a peripheral area of the outer housing. The side key includes at least one contact part exposed through a through-hole formed in the side surface of the outer housing, a side key circuit board including a switch module that contacts the contact part when the contact part is pressed, the side key circuit board being electrically connected to the printed circuit board, a side key bracket in which at least a portion of the side key circuit board is seated and which fixes and supports the side key circuit board, and one or more molded members that are coupled to opposite ends of the side key bracket and are coupled to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dong Hun Song, Dong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10249454
    Abstract: A key stem for a key module of a key for a keyboard is proposed. The key stem has a coupling section for coupling a key button thereto, and a guidance section for guiding a key stem into a receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated between a standby position and an actuation position. The key stem is includes at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position. The key stem also includes at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one return stop section of the key module when the key stem has been actuated back into the standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Muller
  • Patent number: 10242824
    Abstract: A safety lockout device for switchgear includes a movable member adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position. A switch is adapted to electrically isolate a motor in the switchgear and a blocking arm is coupled to a shaft of the motor. In the first position, the movable member engages the switch to close the electrical motor circuit and the blocking arm is free to rotate with the motor shaft. In the second position, the movable member moves away from the switch so that the switch is in an open circuit state disconnecting power to the motor and a portion of the movable member is moved to a position whereby the blocking arm engages the movable member to prevent rotation of the motor shaft and a change of state of the switchgear. The position of the movable member relative to the switch provides a visual indication of the operating state of the switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Gieger, Charles Bindics
  • Patent number: 10224159
    Abstract: A key stabilizer is provided, in which the key stabilizer includes a keycap and a balance bar. The keycap has a bottom surface and two protruding portions disposed thereon. The keycap moves back and forth along a vertical direction between a top position and a bottom position. Each of the two protruding portions has an engaging portion at the end thereof. The bottom surface faces the bottom position, and the two protruding portions are arranged along a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The balance bar has a hinge portion and two side portions respectively connected to both ends of the hinge portion. The hinge portion is positioned on a rotation axis parallel to the horizontal direction. The end of each of the two side portions that is away from the hinge portion is inserted into the engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hai-Nan Shen
  • Patent number: 10192698
    Abstract: An input device with an adjustable force level is provided. The input device includes a circuit board and a key structure. The key structure includes a key body, a casing and a pressure-adjustable elastic receptacle. The pressure-adjustable elastic receptacle is partially or completely accommodated within the casing and sustaining the key body. When the key body is moved downwardly, a resisting force to resist the key body is provided by the pressure-adjustable elastic receptacle and the force level of the resisting force is adjusted by the user. When a force with the force level is applied to the key body by the user, a switch of the circuit board is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10170254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a key structure, including a flexible key cap, a conducting plate, a switch circuit board capable of generating a key signal, and an elastic element. The conducting plate is fixed on an inner surface of the flexible key cap and in contact with a plurality of inner sidewalls of the flexible key cap. The switch circuit board is disposed below the conducting plate, and the elastic element is disposed between the conducting plate and the switch circuit board. When the flexible key cap receives the pressing force, the conducting plate twists due to deformation of the flexible key cap, and pushes the plurality of inner sidewalls of the flexible key cap, so as to conduct a pressing force to a corner of the flexible key cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Lei-Lung Tsai
  • Patent number: 10147570
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an input device may be provided. The input device may include: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; a key top provided at the upper portion; a switch coupled to the key top; a biasing element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the key top, and wherein the second end is coupled to the lower portion; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a pretension of the biasing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Sreenath Unnikrishnan, Kok Kiong Low
  • Patent number: 10141131
    Abstract: A panel-type control button, including: a press key base, a press key panel, a switch board and a springback key. The press key panel is snap-fitted on the front surface of the press key base, and one end of the press key panel is rotatably mounted at one end of the press key base. The switch board is located on the back surface of the press key base, and is provided thereon with a switch element. The springback key is located above the switch element of the switch board. When the press key panel is pressed, the press key panel comes into contact with the springback key and triggers the switch element on the switch board, and further controls the opening and closing of the switch element. The springback key provides a springback force for the press key panel to reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Qingdao Goertek Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geng Li
  • Patent number: 10133371
    Abstract: A panel includes a light-transmissive main body including an upper portion and a plurality of side portions contiguous with the upper portion, a recess being formed at a border between an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of at least one of the plurality of side portions, and a light-blocking part formed in the recess and on an inner surface of the main body except a design part that transmits light, the light-blocking part being configured to block light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10134539
    Abstract: A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Quoc La, Nicholas I Reid, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Matthew W. Blum
  • Patent number: 10109433
    Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch includes a pushbutton, a rocker, and a housing. The pushbutton has a substantially rectangular actuating surface. The pushbutton is received within the housing and is displaceable connected to the housing. The pushbutton displaces with respect to the housing by way of a pressure actuation onto the actuating surface, thus triggering an electrical switching element. The rocker is box-shaped and is arranged within the housing beneath the pushbutton body and is at least partially encompassed by the pushbutton. The rocker is mounted on an inner longitudinally extending wall of the housing by a pivot bearing. By actuating the actuating surface, the rocker pivots about the pivot bearing while supporting the pushbutton along the longitudinal extension of the pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Bleckmann, Tobias Hafner
  • Patent number: 10063017
    Abstract: A connector that is to be connected to another connector and includes a connection terminal, a fixed contact, a movable contact provided at an end of a movable plate, a card comprised of an insulator and configured to move the movable plate, and a button configured to move the card. The connector is configured such that while another connection terminal of the another connector is in contact with the connection terminal of the connector, the button is moved by the another connector, and the movable plate is moved by the card to cause the movable contact to contact the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED, NTT FACILITIES, INC.
    Inventors: Koichi Kiryu, Manabu Shimizu, Masatoshi Noritake, Keiichi Hirose
  • Patent number: 10026569
    Abstract: In a modular switch panel assembly, a switch cover with an aperture and a switch button having a button portion and an integral mounting portion are provided. The mounting portion comprises at least first and second spring members protruding laterally of and at opposite sides of the button portion. Each of the spring members has a meandering path shape and has one end integral with the button portion and an opposite end attached to the switch cover such that the button portion extends through the aperture. A printed circuit board has a switch, and is attached to the switch cover such that the switch is adjacent to a bottom surface of the switch button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Precision Circuits Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Danowski, George L. Cepynsky, Paul G. Cepynsky
  • Patent number: RE47957
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a cap, a support structure, a first magnet, and a baseplate having a bending arm protruding from the baseplate and a support rib extending horizontally to form a receiving space with the bending arm. The support structure includes a first support member pivoted to the baseplate and against the cap and a magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being above the receiving space. The first magnet is inserted into the receiving space to be supported by the support rib and be pressed by the bending arm. When the cap is pressed to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet as the first support member rotates, the cap moves to a pressed position. When the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic permeable plate and the first magnet drives the magnetic permeable plate to approach the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, I-Chu Kuo, Yu-Ming Huang